April 22, 2016

This is the year of the bathroom. No longer seen as simply a place of necessity, interior designers predict 2016 to be the year when bathroom design is given as much consideration as any other room in the home.

Playing a far greater role than just a practical place, bathroom designs are set to encompass the desire for ultimate escapism, relaxation, pampering and indulgence. Think bathroom – think luxury.

Inspired by nature

One of this year’s most prolific themes for all rooms in the home is ‘bringing the outside in’, and we’ll see this heavily influencing bathroom designs, colour schemes, furniture and sanitary ware.

Made to measure coloured slim shower tray image courtesy of Fiora

With the effortless ability to incorporate nature’s rough and natural textural elements, wood and stone will both be prominent in helping to create the epitome of a restful space. Wooden and natural stone surfaces in the bathroom will be key, whether as flooring or a console for the washbasin, and will sit alongside sleek stylings and clean lines to create a sense of effortless beauty.

Ambience-creating colours and finishes

Last year saw the emergence of the must-have grey colour palette, and this will continue, with darker shades being particularly on-trend for the bathroom, for a tranquil feel of luxury and relaxation. Richer colour schemes including midnight blue, indigo, dark purple and rouge, as well as matte greens, are also set to feature strongly.

Image courtesy of Porcel-Thin features marble effect porcelain tiles

Metallic finishes are still on the rise, albeit the softer and warmer tones of rose gold, alongside brass and copper. Gold will be the way to make THE ultimate bathroom style statement in 2016.

Marble is predicted to be even bigger this year than last. The chicest bathrooms will be adorned with marble and marble-effect floors, walls, shelves and features.

But don’t think you have to go with one theme – mixing materials will be highly fashionable. This year’s most stylish bathrooms will boast marble with metallic and stone with stainless steel.

The personal touch

Product customisation will continue as a massive trend in 2016, as consumers increasingly look for designs with personalised touches to give unprecedented exclusivity. We’ll see a rise in demand for made-to-measure shower screens, with personality reflecting designs and unique hallmarks – from colours to inscriptions and bespoke prints.

The interior design keyword this year is ‘smacious’ – the transformation of small spaces to make them feel spacious. Designs are moving heavily towards creating luxurious living in even the smallest of areas, and we’ll see ingenious ‘space-saving’ ideas continuing their meteoric rise.

Statement-making solutions

Where space isn’t limited, indulgent and attention-grabbing freestanding baths will remain a popular choice in both traditional and contemporary bathrooms. And vanity basins with storage cabinets underneath will continue to be a sleek, stylish and practical furniture solution.

Image courtesy of Porcel-Thin features Paris plain and pattern cream porcelain tiles

Porcelain and ceramic tiles will be prominent in creating a ‘wow’ factor in the bathroom – anything from high gloss mirror-like tiles to bright or boldly coloured or highly patterned designs. And extra-large format porcelain tiles will adorn both walls and floors, as the perfect complement to luxurious bathroom suites.

Shower indulgence

With wetroom areas, large walk-in frameless and semi-frameless enclosures, rainfall showerheads and digital controls, showers are now seen as a luxurious alternative to bathing, and this trend will evolve further in 2016.

Image courtesy of Impey

We’ll see a rise in supersized shower enclosures, enhanced by large-format porcelain tiles, for maximum impact. And the floor-level shower, with its impressive ‘walk-in’ experience, is looking to take this year by storm. Extra-flat shower trays that merge seamlessly with the floor will be the number-one choice for the design conscious, for their sleek style and practicality.

Luxury lighting and technology

Low-voltage LED lighting will be a key design feature in this year’s bathrooms, with numerous exciting possibilities for using strips of LED, from behind a mirror to nestling within an alcove.

Image courtesy of Porcel-Thin features Paris pattern cream porcelain tiles

As technology continues to advance, we’ll see further cutting-edge solutions becoming bathroom must-haves. Showers, baths and taps that can be controlled with phones and tablets, Bluetooth-enabled musical mirrors and self-switching lighting are just some of the finishing touches we’ll see, as people seek to transform bathrooms into the ultimate luxurious sanctuary.

Image courtesy of Bossini

Why not let our team of specialist designers help you create the bathroom of your dreams for 2016?

Contact our Dorset bathroom design team on 01929 551963 or email wareham@roomh2o.co.uk